Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have four Ball Pythons all between 1000 and 1500 grams in the same rack system. All four have been eating F/T large mice aggressively. Five weeks ago they all refused a meal at the same time. As of today all four still refuse to eat. I know Balls have a tendacy to go off feed now and then, but I just found it odd that all four started on the same day, and are still refusing.

I have looked in each cage, bowl, and on the snakes for mites, but I have not seen any sign. Is there something I should be looking for? Could it be something in the cage or temperature, or the food, the food doesn't look freezer burned at all, not sure if freezer burned food would cause this?

Has anybody else ever experienced a rack collection to all go off feed at the same time?

It's perfectly normal... many of my adults shutdown around the same time of year. Don't sweat it... balls fast. Some for 1 month, others for 10. It used to drive me nuts, but I'm over it now.

Good Luck,
Oz
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PIJAC and USARK Member
www.OZZYBOIDS.com

I would not be too concerned. I have a few off feed and I have one in particular that went off feed in October just short of 1200 grams and has not eaten at all. The only reason it upsets me is she missed this years breeding. She seems not so bothered by my loss of the year. I know she will start eating in summer again. It just sucks when they all seem to do it together. It is much easier one or two at a time. I have not had a ball starve yet.

Good Luck,
Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Chocolate Lab

As long as they don't lose weight they are fine.
One of my female'slast meal was before Xmas if it makes you feel better.

I have several snakes that haven't eaten since '09 and most of them went off food at about the same time. Only now were they starting to show interest in food, then we got a cold spell It is surprising how much the weather effects them since they are in a temp controlled room. I bet you have already double-checked all your temps? Heat tape is still working, no temp spikes or dips?
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Lincoln, NE
0.1 Pastel, 1.0 Pastel het Pied, 0.1 Pied, 0.1 Cinn, 1.0 Black Pewter, 1.0 Woma (hidden gene?), 0.1 Yellowbelly
2.0 Normals, 1.0 Thayeri, 0.1 Thayeri X Alterna, 0.1 crazy cat, 1.0 husband

Frozen food is fine when they eat it. Try live mice or rats, maybe even live ASF. If they won't eat what you are offering, try something different. I feed ASF if I have a special female that is getting close to size and starts refusing meals. It won't hurt them not to eat for a while, but a few more meals can make the difference between this year or next.